“I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play next year,” the Dynamo boss, who met with Ching Monday as part of the player exit interview process, said in a press conference.

“I think the year was not so taxing on his body as maybe the previous years,” Kinnear continued. “I think he feels fresh enough that if he wants to play it’s not going to kill his body like years previous.”

After Saturday’s final, Ching told MLSsoccer.com that he had not thought about the decision and that he would take some time to make the call. With a clause in his contract that says his option does not have to be decided until after the New Year, he has the time to contemplate his next move.

“Anytime you hear a player wants to go for an MRI something’s wrong,” Kinnear said. “I think his performance in the playoffs showed how valuable he was for us.”

Carr notched two assists and added a goal in Saturday’s final during Houston’s playoff run, making his case for the spot next to forward Will Bruin.

“Fingers crossed, you hope this is something he doesn’t have to deal with,” Kinnear continued. “If it is, the one thing you can take comfort in is that he has battled injuries in the past and that he has a coach that’s 100 percent behind him and will give him as much time as possible to get him back on the field.”